Beladona_13 Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 So, I've been lurking this forum for quite a while, and found lots of very useful information. I've never had occasion to post as I always find the answers I need right away using the search feature, but now I've got an odd issue that I could use some input on. I'm currently working on a friends 1991 Loyale Wagon with the EA82 tbi engine. I had both heads rebuilt a few weeks ago, and everything has been fine up until now. All of the HLA's started rattling, so he brought it by for me to look at. After some sleuthing I found a little sliver of what looks like aluminum in the passenger side oil pressure relief valve (the one in the cam tower). I went so far as to crank the engine, flushing any other bits out, and replaced the valve and spring with new ones from Subaru. I started the engine, Pass. side appears to have quieted, so I started the same process on the drivers side. I pulled the spring and valve out of the recess in the driver side cam tower, and had an assistant crank the engine for me, no oil came out of the hole where the relief valve goes! I had my assistant continue cranking, I get oil out of the camshaft lobe holes, but none to my HLA's or the pressure relief valve. According to my Subaru Manual for an '87 XT coupe, the oil comes from the crank case and the galley splits. One passage leads to the cam case, and one passage goes to the HLA's and then on to the relief valve. Here is my question, Where is my blockage/ failure? Do I have a plugged Galley? If so, where? Is it in the head? HELP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beladona_13 Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 So it looks like I'm going to drive out to the local Subaru nuts place and pick up a replacement cam tower. Tomorrow I'll rip the old cam tower off, pull the HLA's and blow out the oil galleys with compressed air. Then I'll install the new cam tower, new case o ring, and button everything up again and see if I get oil pressure. Wish me luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tractor pole Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 what condition is the oil pump "mickey mouse" gasket in? I had a bad gasket, replaced the oil pump and it took a spirited 5 minute test drive to get the hla's to quiet down. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beladona_13 Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 When I replaced the head gaskets two weeks ago, while I had the engine on the bench I installed a fresh Micky mouse seal, Large O ring, and a shaft seal. It would seem I still have a leak in that same area though as I have oil dripping from my timing covers. I'm thinking I may just replace the pump and slap in a new front crank seal while I'm at it. I just got back from a 2 hour round trip to get a replacement Cam Tower for the drivers side. I See that the galley that feeds the HLA's has a very small brass port where it seats against the head. I'm thinking this may be plugeed in my current tower... I'll report back tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 What is HLA? Also why is it called a Mickey mouse seal? Just curious. Cheers Dirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodsWagon Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 A HLA is a Hydraulic Lash Adjuster, it's the lifter that ticks in the head. The "Micky Mouse" gasket is so named because it's outline is similar to the Disney character's profile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beladona_13 Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 Here is the pic I promised of the brass orifice in the galley that feeds oil to the HLA's. Here is a pic of the hunk of silicone sealant I found wedged in the orifice! Now for reassembly! I'll report back after I get it running again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertsubaru Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Thats why silcone should not be used anywhere near oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beladona_13 Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 This is what I use when assembling Subaru's... http://www.fredbeansparts.com/index.php/subaru-fuji-bond-sealer.html The Grey stuff is made by Subaru for sealing the Cam Towers. it was a piece of this stuff that I found plugging the galley. I'm not sure if I got sloppy when I assembled it last time, or if it was a piece I missed when cleaning parts. Who knows, any way, it's fixed! Took a minute for the HLA's to pump up, but it's quiet as a mouse now! :banana:Next week I look into the front oil seal leak, I'd do it now, but the car needs to back in service yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 A HLA is a Hydraulic Lash Adjuster, it's the lifter that ticks in the head. The "Micky Mouse" gasket is so named because it's outline is similar to the Disney character's profile. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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